NEWS DESK
Tender rules tighten to ban gifts to staff Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au CONTRACT managers at Mornington Peninsula Shire have been banned from accepting “gifts, benefits or hospitality” from companies or individuals supplying the tens of millions of dollars in goods or services bought each year by the shire. The shire has tightened up the rules to avoid conflicts of interest between staff and suppliers following internal audits and receipt of a probity report of its buying and contract procedures. Gifts that have been offered and declined must be recorded in the staff gift register. Staff and advisors directly involved with any tender evaluation panel will need to declare “any relationships or connections they currently have, or previously had, to tenders or their employees”. Declarations in the Related and Conflict of Interest Register would be reviewed by “procurement” and assessed in consultation with “probity” officers.
A report to council’s Tuesday 23 October meeting by strategic procurement manager Gail Mifsud stated that the signed declaration “is to mitigate the person determining the status of their own interest”. If a conflict of interest is found the staff member concerned must be taken off the tender evaluation panel and have no further access to tender information. A member of the shire’s “executive team” could allow the staff member to remain in the panel “if the interest is considered minor or unlikely to influence the evaluation outcome”. The gifts register – available to the public by appointment – lists an “exclusive photographic session voucher” valued at $600 as being declined by a contracts procurement coordinator. A Mornington car sales company made the offer. The shire’s contract auditing and surveillance officer also declined an identical offer. However, two “lunch” meetings valued at $20 and $25 with Procurement Australia were accepted while an invitation to Derby Day was declined.
Five stars for councillors MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillors have given themselves the right to stay in fivestar accommodation. An amendment to the Councillor Expenses Reimbursement, Resources and Facilities Policy adopted at the Tuesday 23 October council meeting allows councillors to be reimbursed for “accommodation at a five star venue when they are also attending a conference or event in their official capacity at the same five star venue”. A report by senior policy advisor Anthea
Hastie said it was “important that the councillor role attracts and retains a wide cross section of people and the policy recognises individual needs and circumstance”. The policy being amended was adopted on 24 July and will be reviewed by council at the next municipal election, October 2020. Ms Hastie said the policy change “will allow councillors to be provided with appropriate reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses performing their duties as a councillor”.
Please help: Jennifer and Rob Lindsay and Monica and Mark Holland seek donations at the Flinders Bakehouse. Picture: Supplied
In rhythm with farmers’ needs FLINDERS came alive to the sounds of Rhythms for Rain, Sunday 21 October, an event organised by Rob Lindsay to help drought-hit farmers. Lions Club of Flinders secretary Monica Holland said $2400 was raised for the Need for Feed national program. “Visitors enjoyed a beautiful sunny day and wonderful local musicians who played on a voluntary basis in various cafes throughout the village,” she said. Performers included Salty and The Bluebottles, Kathryn Barker, On in 5, Owen Thomas, Ruby Whiting, Coco Michelle, Twisted Sisters, Jason and Rachel, Dan Thornell, Cathy Dobson and Dee and Kevin from the Calmer Miles. Mr Lindsay said all the major venues in
Flinders joined in the event “each with its own brilliant ambience and unique menu”. Participating businesses included Flinders Bakehouse cafe, Georgie Bass Cafe, Pier Provedore cafe, The Village Cafe, Sorellina’s cafe, and Golden Breed Surf Shop.
Fire car boot sale HASTINGS CFA members will hold a car boot sale, 8.30am-2.30pm, Sunday 11 November. A range of items will be for sale at the depot at 149 High Street, Hastings. “We are having a barbecue with our famous egg and bacon rolls, as well as sausages, ready from 8:30,” officer Trent Walden said.
Western Port News
31 October 2018
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